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The Griptilian is born of custom knifemaker Mel Pardue's passion for functional designs. You release the creature's ferocity with a thumb stud. At the very heart of the Griptilian, is the exclusive AXIS locking mechanism. This modern marvel gives life to a cutting tool like you have never experienced before, especially in a lightweight folder. Rock-solid ambidextrous function is sure to tame the most die-hard of traditionalists. And you can grab onto the lightweight, handle with its grip-textured surface and rib covered spine that grabs you right back for a "can't let go" grip. The model 556-1 comes with gray G10 handle scales, blue G10 accents, blue barrel spacers and a reversible deep carry pocket clip for right or left side carry. The blade steel has also been upgraded on this model to CPM-20CV stainless steel. CPM-20CV is virtually identical in chemical composition to Benchmade's current M390 steel but is made in the US by Niagara as opposed to Bohler which is based Austria. It offers better edge retention but is not quite as tough to resharpen as M390.

AXIS A patented Benchmade exclusive, AXIS has been turning heads and winning fans ever since its introduction. A 100-percent ambidextrous design, AXIS gets its function from a small, hardened steel bar which rides forward and back in a slot machined into both steel liners. The bar extends to both sides of the knife, spanning the liners and positioned over the rear of the blade. It engages a ramped, tang portion of the knife blade when it is opened. Two omega style springs, one on each liner, give the locking bar it's inertia to engage the knife tang, and as a result the tang is wedged solidly between a sizable stop pin and the AXIS bar itself.

Specifications

Blade Length: 2.91"

Blade Thickness: 0.100"

Blade Material: CPM-20CV Stainless Steel

Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC

Blade Style: 551 Modified Drop-Point; Ambidextrous Thumb-Studs

Weight: 2.90 oz.

Clip: Deep-Carry, Reversible, Tip-Up

Lock Mechanism: AXIS

Overall Length: 6.78"

Closed Length: 3.87"

Handle Thickness: 0.55"

Class: Blue

Made in the USA

Badges

Pocket Clip
Includes a pocket clip for easy accessibility and a more secure carry.

Made in USA
This product is USA born and raised.

G10 Handles
Formed in a sheet under high pressure by combining fiberglass and an epoxy resin binder. These handles are lightweight and shaped to ensure a solid grip.

It's pretty, that's about all I can say for it. This knife can't take even light use without getting chips all over the edge. I've got other knives with 20CV that are fine, so I suspect the heat treating/tempering is not right.I even tried to get Benchmade to replace the blade with a cheaper S30V blade, but they won't do it. It was a waste of $175 and after a little more than a year of light suburban use cutting cord and boxes I threw it in the trash where it belongs.

Mechanically, the knife is great and it still opens smoothly, locks up perfectly and closes easily and centered. The big disappointment was the 20CV steel. On my knife, it's very fragile and chips far too easily, IMO. Between sharpening, sections of the edge look serrated up close and sharpening takes longer as a result. I sharpen at 20 degrees. Knife has not had hard use -- 50-year-old white-collar guy's edc, basically. I'm a Benchmade fan, but I got a bad one here I think.

Super fast shipping!! Knifecenter ROCKS!!! knife arrived a day earlier than projected, probably kc processing. Very sharp upon arrival and very very tight. Had to adjust pivot right away. Material just has a cheap look and feel to me. The texturing goes the same length as the pocket clip and then it gets smooth with an imitation wood grain pressed into it. Now for the pocket clip good lord it's huge on this knife it's bigger than my Z T pocket clips. So big it's intrusive and uncomfortable plus it stands too far off the blade thickness wise. The knife feels much better without the pocket clip at all. The good news is you can carry it in your pocket without a clip because it's small. Excellent blade Steel. No side to side play or vertical play centered well. It just looks like it should be a $25 knife or less. Blade steel makes it maybe 50.